Invercargill Truck Museum

[granstar]

Had a gander today at the Bill Richardson Truck Museum with my brother over from Aussie, and must say though i'm no fan of trucks, was impressed. As well the food and service in The Grille cafe, they are onto it. If your down our way worthy of checking out ( allow an hour and a half). There are a few bikes in there as well, but if the new motorcycle museum is up to this standard, buckle up boys, it will be a goody :clap: Opening November.

[russd7]

Had a gander today at the Bill Richardson Truck Museum with my brother over from Aussie, and must say though i'm no fan of trucks, was impressed. As well the food and service in The Grille cafe, they are onto it. If your down our way worthy of checking out ( allow an hour and a half). There are a few bikes in there as well, but if the new motorcycle museum is up to this standard, buckle up boys, it will be a goody :clap: Opening November.

23rd nov, motorcycle mecca is to open to the public

[onearmedbandit]

That sounds like a good reason to ride down that way over summer.

[rastuscat]

That sounds like a good reason to ride down that way over summer.

It's Invercargill. Which day is summer happening this year?

[rastuscat]

23rd nov, motorcycle mecca is to open to the public

Just back from a week in Invers. The truck museum is awesome. Next visit I'll get to the Motorcycle Mecca. If the truck museum is anything to go by it'll be even more awesomer.

[onearmedbandit]

It's Invercargill. Which day is summer happening this year?

Thursday. Between 1pm and 3pm. (Times subject to change, no guarantee of Summer is made or implied)

[granstar]

WGaF, we ride all year round down here. Apart from a (usual) wee shower of rain on the 100 Plus run to Bluff on Sunday, most days since march have been awesome for riding. We just turn on wind for the Burt to ensure it is in fact a challenge and ensure eligibility to be riding a motorcycle.

Take it easy, cops are out there picking on motorcyclists (how I know this), there has been 2 fatalities too many recently, ride safe in the South.

The link for both venues, value for money www.transportworld.co.nz/

[Bass]

Just back from a week in Invers. The truck museum is awesome.
My sister-in-law applied for the manager's job there recently. She has a very strong CV and stood a good chance.
To my shame, I haven't checked to see what the outcome was.

[Old Steve]

WGaF, we ride all year round down here. Apart from a (usual) wee shower of rain on the 100 Plus run to Bluff on Sunday, most days since march have been awesome for riding. We just turn on wind for the Burt to ensure it is in fact a challenge and ensure eligibility to be riding a motorcycle.

Take it easy, cops are out there picking on motorcyclists (how I know this), there has been 2 fatalities too many recently, ride safe in the South.

Whenever I've been down in Invercargill I've seen tonnes of motorbikes on the roads, probably riders who have ticked off Bluff and are then heading up for their next must-do point. Great riding roads down there, on my must-do list is the ride from Dunedin to Invercargill through the Catlins (my mother was born in Owaka, pronounced O- wacker down there), the ride up through Roxburgh, Alexandra and on to Queenstown, and the ride up to Wanaka and through to Haast.

But that motorbike museum is on my list too.

[rastuscat]

Whenever I've been down in Invercargill I've seen tonnes of motorbikes on the roads, probably riders who have ticked off Bluff and are then heading up for their next must-do point. Great riding roads down there, on my must-do list is the ride from Dunedin to Invercargill through the Catlins (my mother was born in Owaka, pronounced O- wacker down there), the ride up through Roxburgh, Alexandra and on to Queenstown, and the ride up to Wanaka and through to Haast.

But that motorbike museum is on my list too.

My annual visit to Southland is as a motorcycle Marshall for the cycle tour of Southland.

It's a great way to see the most beautiful part of NZ. I was born in Nightcaps. The roads out in Western Southland are awesome. Coffee stops are irregular but the one between Colac Bay and Tuatapere is worth a visit.

[pritch]

Whenever I've been down in Invercargill I've seen tonnes of motorbikes on the roads, probably riders who have ticked off Bluff and are then heading up for their next must-do point. Great riding roads down there, on my must-do list is the ride from Dunedin to Invercargill through the Catlins (my mother was born in Owaka, pronounced O- wacker down there), the ride up through Roxburgh, Alexandra and on to Queenstown, and the ride up to Wanaka and through to Haast.

But that motorbike museum is on my list too.

The Catlins is a nice ride but there others too as you say. If you've got a big enough tank you could even do the Milford Road.

[russd7]

Coffee stops are irregular but the one between Colac Bay and Tuatapere is worth a visit.

that would be the orepuki beach cafe, yes very good and extremely good for a meal as well. they grow all their own produce.
I spent 5 yrs on the farm oppisite.
awesome wee spot

you should buy the pub in nightcaps then rastus, its fer sale, always a good ride out there and a multitude of options for an alternate route home as well

[granstar]

My annual visit to Southland is as a motorcycle Marshall for the cycle tour of Southland.

It's a great way to see the most beautiful part of NZ. I was born in Nightcaps. The roads out in Western Southland are awesome. Coffee stops are irregular but the one between Colac Bay and Tuatapere is worth a visit.

Orepuki Cafe, fish pie to die for.

[ellipsis]

... IIWII...swedes'n'all...

[Berries]

value for money
Not so sure about that. Half a rainy day to kill so took the kids there. Was it $15 each for them? Can't remember but whatever it was it was too much for them to play with some shitty old Lego and look at some broken pedal cars.

As an adult it is great, world class and a must see if you like the internal combustion engine. But drop the wife and kids off to see the animals at Queens Park first.


(my mother was born in Owaka, pronounced O- wacker down there)
How do you pronounce it anywhere else?

[rastuscat]

Orepuki Cafe, fish pie to die for.

Thats the one. Mum was born in Tuatapere, Dad in Athol. I was born in Nightcaps. Southern water runs in my veins.

[98tls]

23rd nov, motorcycle mecca is to open to the public

:niceone: Will take a drive down that weekend for a gander i think.

[russd7]

haven't decided yet whether i want to get in the door as soon as it opens or wait till after the burt and all the out o towners have cleared off

[rastuscat]

haven't decided yet whether i want to get in the door as soon as it opens or wait till after the burt and all the out o towners have cleared off

It's like a movie premiere. The movie is just as good a month later.

This museum will be iconic.

[granstar]

haven't decided yet whether i want to get in the door as soon as it opens or wait till after the burt and all the out o towners have cleared off

Said the out of towner :niceone:

[russd7]

Said the out of towner :niceone:

shadup, i been in southland for eleven years now and SWMBO does have rellies buried in the Orepuki cemetery even if it was from the end of the 1800s.

[rastuscat]

shadup, i been in southland for eleven years now and SWMBO does have rellies buried in the Orepuki cemetery even if it was from the end of the 1800s.

The Tuatapere cemetery is full of my Whanau. Greetings, congrats on your choice of SWMBO

[russd7]

The Tuatapere cemetery is full of my Whanau. Greetings, congrats on your choice of SWMBO

funny story that tho, we had been down in puki for a couple of years before we found out that she had rellies buried there, seems her fathers grandparents were married in puki then hoofed it up to takaka.

real tiny country this one we live in, that same xmas that we found that out we also discovered another lady that we new there had gone to Te Puke high school the year between myself and my brother

[granstar]

shadup, i been in southland for eleven years now and SWMBO does have rellies buried in the Orepuki cemetery even if it was from the end of the 1800s.

Overstayer, tourist, or wanna be, but then 11 years and managed to say "shadup" while rolling your R's, guess congratulations are in order to becoming an official citizen of this special part of godzone, the initiation fee is the usual (24 pack) :drinknsin Do realise you will never be a native, your not the sheep shaggin type.

[Hemi Makutu]

Not so sure about that. Half a rainy day to kill so took the kids there. Was it $15 each for them? Can't remember but whatever it was it was too much for them to play with some shitty old Lego and look at some broken pedal cars.

As an adult it is great, world class and a must see if you like the internal combustion engine. But drop the wife and kids off to see the animals at Queens Park first.


How do you pronounce it anywhere else?



Ever play Pac Man? Do you recall the " Owakawakawaka " - sound effect?

[Old Steve]

My birth mother was born in Owaka, except they pronounce it O- whacker down that way.

[russd7]

Overstayer, tourist, or wanna be, but then 11 years and managed to say "shadup" while rolling your R's, guess congratulations are in order to becoming an official citizen of this special part of godzone, the initiation fee is the usual (24 pack) :drinknsin Do realise you will never be a native, your not the sheep shaggin type.

i do have some maverick that some miserable bugger left in my fridge, failing that i always have a small variety of ales on the chill

[Berries]

My birth mother was born in Owaka, except they pronounce it O- whacker down that way.
That didn't make sense the first time you wrote it and it hasn't got any better.

How is Owaka pronounced if not O-whacker?

Genuinely interested now in how it is pronounced up your way. Oh-fokka?

[Bass]

My sister-in-law applied for the manager's job there recently. She has a very strong CV and stood a good chance.
To my shame, I haven't checked to see what the outcome was.

I checked - she got the job

[rastuscat]

I checked - she got the job

Always nice to get some good news.

[Bass]

Gonna be home for Xmas, so no excuse not to go have a look.
Not sure how I'm getting home ATM.
Had planned to be passing through Rangiora on Dec 22nd but less likely now.

[russd7]

Gonna be home for Xmas, so no excuse not to go have a look.
Not sure how I'm getting home ATM.
Had planned to be passing through Rangiora on Dec 22nd but less likely now.

over to nelson then blast down through murch and hook down the buller gorge through to reefton for a damned good peppersteak pie and a couple of doughnuts (one just isn't enough) then down the grey valley and on down to greymouth and on down the coast, simple really

[JimO]

over to nelson then blast down through murch and hook down the buller gorge through to reefton for a damned good peppersteak pie and a couple of doughnuts (one just isn't enough) then down the grey valley and on down to greymouth and on down the coast, simple really sounds like banjo country

[russd7]

sounds like banjo country

if ya don't stop in murch it should be safe enough

[Bass]

over to nelson then blast down through murch and hook down the buller gorge through to reefton for a damned good peppersteak pie and a couple of doughnuts (one just isn't enough) then down the grey valley and on down to greymouth and on down the coast, simple really

Seem to have taken this off topic a bit but if I was on my own, that's my route of choice. However, I'm not and so it will be Wairau valley to Murch, back over Lewis and night in Methven. Home via central Otago. Will be passing thru Rastusville after all.

I got into this thread because my sis in law is now "Visitor Experience Manager" at the truck museum. It all sounds very corporate to me. I believe it started as a private collection which could be viewed by appointment but interest grew to the point where the collector has sent it commercial to try and improve public access.
I hope it's successful and can cover its operational costs. That's up to the rest of us to some degree I guess.

[rastuscat]

Seem to have taken this off topic a bit but if I was on my own, that's my route of choice. However, I'm not and so it will be Wairau valley to Murch, back over Lewis and night in Methven. Home via central Otago. Will be passing thru Rastusville after all.

I got into this thread because my sis in law is now "Visitor Experience Manager" at the truck museum. It all sounds very corporate to me. I believe it started as a private collection which could be viewed by appointment but interest grew to the point where the collector has sent it commercial to try and improve public access.
I hope it's successful and can cover its operational costs. That's up to the rest of us to some degree I guess.

It's $25 for a day pass at the truck museum. I expect the bike museum to be similar.

I thought it was a bit steep but after seeing the truck museum I think it's value for money.

[granstar]

It's $25 for a day pass at the truck museum. I expect the bike museum to be similar.

I thought it was a bit steep but after seeing the truck museum I think it's value for money.

Told ya! :msn-wink:

[rastuscat]

Told ya! :msn-wink:
I have a vested interest.

Dad started in trucks with Sam McRae in Nightcaps. That was taken over by Ian Guise, wh8cu became Freight Haulage. He was there 45 years later when he retired.

Trucks are kind on in my blood. Western Southland too.

Sent from my SM-N920I using Tapatalk

[russd7]

Seem to have taken this off topic a bit but if I was on my own, that's my route of choice. However, I'm not and so it will be Wairau valley to Murch, back over Lewis and night in Methven. Home via central Otago. Will be passing thru Rastusville after all.

I got into this thread because my sis in law is now "Visitor Experience Manager" at the truck museum. It all sounds very corporate to me. I believe it started as a private collection which could be viewed by appointment but interest grew to the point where the collector has sent it commercial to try and improve public access.
I hope it's successful and can cover its operational costs. That's up to the rest of us to some degree I guess.

partially correct, the truck museum was started by bill richardson, and yes it was able to be veiwed by appointment but ya had to know how to contact the curator and it was still charged for, and it was impressive back then as well. when bill died his daughter took full control of the reins and made the old museum more accessible as a tribute to her dad and grew it from there building the new building to display more of the collection that was not on display. I have not been through the new museum yet but do plan to. But i did have the pleasure of a tour of the old museum and it was awesome.

[Berries]

I got into this thread because my sis in law is now "Visitor Experience Manager" at the truck museum. It all sounds very corporate to me. I believe it started as a private collection which could be viewed by appointment but interest grew to the point where the collector has sent it commercial to try and improve public access.
I went a couple of times before it was open to the general public. There was not much in the way of set out, or heating, but all of the trucks were there with the background info so if you were in to trucks or the southern transport industry it was great. I knew Bill when he bought a stupid big American ute which I had to help him park once. Good to see that in the museum, and a Commer that once belonged to my late father in law.

I have been once since it opened up properly and you can look at it two ways. All the interactive stuff (and cars?) takes away from the trucks but will keep some entertained. Personally I wanted to show my kids my favourite trucks and the one their grandad owned but found it harder to get around - note to your sis, get some bloody maps made up. Fairly sure I saw less this time around, not sure whether it was the layout or having the kids with me. As stated previously, $15 is a rip off for kids who have lost concentration within an hour, they should be $5 or free.

Having said all that, if anyone is in Invers and has not been they really should, this is a world class museum.

Not sure I will go to the motorbike museum even though I am in Vegas every few weeks. A 1950's motorbike holds no interest to me whatsoever yet some of those 1950's trucks look amazing.

[Bass]

note to your sis, get some bloody maps made up. .

Might just point her at this thread

[granstar]

And if anyone down for the Burt Challenge, there is the Southland Toy and Poker Run to support, leaving the rally site 9.30 AM (be early) sharp for a short group ride around some Southland roads and back in time to watch the speedway at Oreti Park. :scooter:

[jellywrestler]

And if anyone down for the Burt Challenge, there is the Southland Toy and Poker Run to support, leaving the rally site 9.30 AM (be early) sharp for a short group ride around some Southland roads and back in time to watch the speedway at Oreti Park. :scooter:

what times the speedway start?

[ellipsis]

what times the speedway start?


...just after the rain...

[russd7]

what times the speedway start?

after we get back from the toy run :msn-wink: remember it is for a good cause,
A, you may meet the mighty Granstar,
B, you may also get to meet the humble Rusty,
C, it is for a damned good cause,
D, the poker run is free
E, there are some awesome prizes,
F, did i mention you may get to meet the Mighty Granstar.

the speedway starts at 4.00pm and there is an awesome lineup in all classes

[russd7]

couldn't resist, had to go have a look today, in my humble opinion it is awesome and been extremely well done with every thing from scooters through to the mighty britton, there is a Messerschmitt KR200 as well as a couple of morgans.
i must say the coffee in the cafe was very good but the food was a bit hoity toity for this farm boy.

the whole place was well laid out and a visit to the toilet up stairs is a must even if ya don't use it. there s a little surprise in there and no i don't mean in the bowl.

all i can say is it is definately an asset for little ole invers and when in town it is well worth the visit